Propeller tuner assembly

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a propeller tuner assembly ( 10 ) formed in accordance with the present disclosure includes a frame ( 12 ) and a bearing assembly ( 64 ) having a coupler ( 90 ) adapted to selectively couple a propeller ( 20 ) to the frame ( 12 ). The coupler ( 90 ) is selectively movable from a first position where at least a portion of the coupler ( 90 ) is substantially isolated from tuning loads applied to the bearing assembly ( 64 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to propeller tuning assemblies,and more particularly to a propeller tuning assembly that allows for insitu tuning of a propeller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A properly tuned boat propeller can enhance vehicle speed, increase fuelefficiency, and reduce propeller induced vibration. With today'scomputerized propeller inspection equipment, software programs enableoperators to measure a propeller blade to determine whether its pitch orother technical data, such as skew, rake, or camber are in compliancewith manufacturer specification.

After blade information is obtained, the propeller is removed from themeasuring device, and the blades are hammered, or tuned in theappropriate areas as determined by the measuring device. In mostcircumstances, the propeller is placed back on the measuring device toconfirm whether the blade is in conformance with industry standards. Ifa blade of the propeller is not yet within a suitable range of pitch,the propeller may again be removed from the measuring device to be tunedin the appropriate areas. The cycle continues until the propeller iswithin acceptable tolerances of industry standards.

A propeller measuring device includes a rotatable mount and a styluspositioned to measure the pitch of a propeller blade mounted to therotatable mount. The rotatable mount is coupled to the propellermeasuring device by a bearing assembly to enable the rotation. Topreserve the mechanical stability of the bearing assembly, the propellermust be removed after blade measurements have been taken so that thepropeller may be tuned in the appropriate areas. Otherwise the bearingassembly would bear the load applied during the tuning process, whichmay cause the bearing assembly to weaken and fail. Removing thepropeller for tuning is both time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Based on the foregoing, a need exists for an improved propeller tuningdevice that can be used for both measuring and tuning propeller bladeswithout requiring the propeller to be removed from the tuning device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a propeller tuner assembly formed in accordance withthe present disclosure includes a frame and a bearing assembly having acoupler adapted to selectively couple a propeller to the frame. Thecoupler is selectively movable from a first position where at least aportion of the coupler is substantially isolated from tuning loadsapplied to the bearing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a propeller tuning assembly constructedin accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein apropeller has been mounted to the tuning assembly;

FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary, isometric view of a propellermounting assembly of FIG. 1, showing one embodiment of a liftingmechanism;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the lifting mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the propeller mounting assembly andlifting mechanism shown in FIG. 2, where the lifting mechanism isdecoupled from the propeller mounting assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the propeller mounting assembly andlifting mechanism shown in FIG. 2, where the lifting mechanism isengaging the propeller mounting assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the propeller tuning assembly shownin FIG. 1, where at least a portion of the propeller tuning assembly hasbeen vertically translated by a hydraulic lifting assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of a propeller tuning assembly 10formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. The propellertuning assembly 10 includes a support frame 12, a propeller measuringassembly 24, a hydraulic lifting assembly 45, and a propeller mountingassembly 62. The propeller measuring assembly 24 is suspended above thepropeller tuning assembly 10 and supported in part by the support frame12. Upon rotatably mounting a propeller 20 to the support frame 12, thepropeller measuring assembly 24 is configured to measure the propeller'spitch while the propeller 20 is rotating. The propeller 20 is rotatablymounted to the support frame 12 through the propeller mounting assembly62. After obtaining measurements of the propeller 20, the propellermounting assembly 62 is vertically translated by the hydraulic liftingassembly 45 to isolate at least a portion of the propeller mountingassembly 62. The propeller 20 is thereafter “tuned”, or hammered, in theappropriate areas without inducing extreme loads on the isolated portionof the propeller mounting assembly 62. The support frame 12 includesmoveable members that vertically adjust when actuated by the hydrauliclifting assembly 45 such that propellers of different sizes may bereceived on the propeller mounting assembly 62, and technicians maycomfortably access the propeller 20 when taking measurements and tuningthe propeller 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, the propeller tuning assembly 10 includes a supportframe 12 made preferably from solid steel. The support frame 12 includesa lower support member 14, an upper support member 16, and a tablemember 18. The lower support member 14 provides lower support for theframe 12 by stabilizing the frame when loads are applied to the tablemember 18. The upper support member 16 supports the propeller tuningassembly and other mechanical and electrical devices as described below.The table member 18 provides an area on which a propeller 20 may bemounted, measured, and tuned, as described below.

The support members 14 and 16, as well as the table member 18 arepreferably substantially greater in length and width than height, andeach may have relatively flat upper and lower surfaces. The upper andlower support members 14 and 16 are substantially the same shape andsize as the table member 18. The table member 18 includes a taperedtable end 22 such that when a propeller 20 is mounted to the tablemember 18 at the tapered end 22 for measuring and tuning, a technicianmay access the propeller 20 without interference by the table member 18.The support frame members 14, 16, and 18 may be coupled to one anotherby multiple vertical structural supports. Instead, each support framemember 14, 16, and 18 may be cantilevered to one vertical structuralsupport, wherein the structural support couples members 14, 16, and 18to cooperatively form support frame 12.

Sill referring to FIG. 1, the frame 12 supports a propeller measuringassembly 24, which can be used to gather measurements and data for amounted propeller 20. A propeller measuring assembly 24 that is commonlyused and generally known to those skilled in the art may be used, suchas an assembly designed and manufactured by Hale Propeller, LLC of OldSaybrook, Conn. However, further description of the depicted propellermeasuring assembly will be provided for comprehension and clarity. Thepropeller measuring assembly 24 is used to measure the pitch of eachblade 26 of the propeller 20 by obtaining the drop of the blade 26 overeach degree of rotation. The propeller measuring assembly 24 may also beused to measure, for instance the rake, skew, or camber of the propellerblade 26. A propeller mounting assembly 62 (later described in detail)is used to rotatably mount a propeller 20 to the table member 18 so thatmeasurements may be taken.

The measuring assembly 24 is suspended above the table member 18 and themounted propeller 20, and it is supported by a measuring assemblysupport frame 28. The measuring assembly support frame 28 includes astructural support post 30 that extends from the lower support member14, through the upper support member 16 and table member 18 to apredetermined distance above the table member 18. The measuring assemblysupport frame 28 further includes a radial mast 32 extending from thepropeller mounting assembly 62, and at least one, but preferably two,horizontal translation rods 34 positioned transversely to the structuralsupport post 30 and radial mast 32. The horizontal translation rods 34are configured to slidably support a measuring probe 36 and probehousing 38, such that the probe housing 38 may be horizontallytranslated and the probe 36 may engage and measure the rotating mountedpropeller 20. The probe housing 38 includes low friction translatingmeans for lowering probe 36 into selective engagement with the propeller20. The horizontal translation rods 34 are mounted at one end to thestructural support post 30, and at the other end to the radial mast 32.The structural support post 30 includes a support box 40 into which oneend of the horizontal translation rods 34 extend, and the radial mast 32has secured to it an upper radial mounting plate 42 onto which the otherend of the horizontal translation rods 34 may be secured.

An optical encoder 44 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is used to detect therotary and linear positions of the propeller 20 when the probe 36 passesover the rotating propeller 20. Preferably, an optical encoder from USDigital Corporation, such as the EM1 or HED model, is used. Electroniccircuitry provides the desired output indication to a central processingunit (CPU) separate from the measuring device. It is understood that anelectronic device commonly known in the art may be used. Thisinformation sent to the CPU can thereafter be interpreted and displayedthrough a software program commonly known in the art, such as HALEPROPELLER M.R.I software, designed and manufactured by Hale Propeller,LLC of Old Saybrook, Conn. The information is displayed as data or in agraphical or pictorial format, depending on the software, for atechnician's use during the tuning of the propeller. The displayedinformation will allow the technician to understand in which areas theblade 26 needs to be tuned.

Referring to FIG. 1 and also FIG. 6, the lower support member 14, uppersupport member 16, and table member 18 are further coupled to oneanother by a hydraulic lifting assembly 45 that includes hydraulic jacks46. Preferably, the hydraulic lifting assembly 45 includes threehydraulic jacks 46, one jack 46 being positioned near the tapered end 22of the support frame 12, and the other two jacks 46 being positionednear the non-tapered portion of the support frame 12. The hydraulicjacks 46 may be an off-the shelf hydraulic jack design commonly know inthe art. The jacks 46 contain a hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly 47that spans between the lower support member 14 and the table member 18.Each cylinder/piston assembly 47 includes a cylinder 48 having acylinder upper end 50 and a cylinder lower end 52. The cylinder/pistonassembly 47 further includes a piston (not shown) and piston rod 55,where the piston is slidably received in the cylinder 48 for reciprocalmovement therein. The piston forms a pressure chamber (not shown)between the piston and the upper end 50 of the cylinder 48, into whichhydraulic fluid may be received.

The hydraulic lifting assembly 45 further includes hydraulic lines 56that supply the cylinder/piston assemblies 47 with hydraulic fluid. Thehydraulic lines 56 communicate between a hydraulic fluid source orreservoir 58 and the cylinder/piston assemblies 47. Further, a hydraulicpump 60 is in communication with the hydraulic fluid reservoir 58 forselectively supplying the lines 56 with hydraulic fluid. Preferably, thehydraulic pump 60 is a reversible pump that can be actuated by anysuitable operator-actuated means. When the pump is actuated toselectively supply the hydraulic lines 56 with hydraulic fluid, theselected cylinder/piston assemblies 47 are supplied with hydraulic fluidin the cylinder pressure chamber (not shown) such that the piston andpiston rod 55 extend outwardly from the cylinder 48.

The cylinder 48 supports the table member 18. The cylinder upper end 50is secured to the bottom surface of the table member 18, and thecylinder lower end 52 is secured to the top surface of the upper supportmember 16. In this manner, when the piston is actuated to extendoutwardly from the cylinder 48, the piston and piston rod 55 mayvertically translate the upper support member 16 and table member 18simultaneously through cylinder 48. It is preferred that each hydraulicjack 46 be actuated simultaneously, such that the upper support member16 and table member 18 translate vertically while remainingsubstantially horizontal relative to the ground or floor. Moreover, thestructural support post 30 is slidably coupled to the lower supportmember 14, the upper support member 16, and the table member 18 suchthat each member translates vertically in relation to the support post30. By having the ability to raise and lower the table member 18, thesupport frame 12 can be adjusted to fit and mount propellers 20 ofvarious sizes. In addition, the table member 18 can be adjusted toergonomically fit each individual technician tuning the propeller 20 onthe table member 18.

Now referring to FIG. 2, the propeller mounting assembly 62 is used tomount a propeller 20 to the propeller tuning assembly 10 so that thepropeller 20 may be measured and tuned. The propeller mounting assembly62 rotatably supports a propeller 20 while the propeller 20 is beingmeasured by the propeller measuring assembly 24, and it staticallysupports a propeller 20 when the propeller 20 is being tuned. Thepropeller mounting assembly 62 extends from the upper support member 16through the table member 18, such that the propeller 20 may be mountedabove the table member 18 for ease of access.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the propeller mounting assembly 62. Thepropeller mounting assembly 62 includes a bearing assembly 64 having anupper bearing assembly 66, an outer housing 68, and a propeller coupler90. The housing 68 is cylindrical in shape, and it is hollow and open atboth cylindrical ends to slidably receive and encase the upper bearingassembly 66. The upper bearing assembly 66 may include a bearing shaft70 that is also cylindrical in shape.

The upper bearing assembly 66 further includes a lock plate 74 mountedto the bearing shaft 70. The lock plate 74 includes a lower circularcavity (not shown) that receives the upper end of the bearing shaft 70.The lock plate 74 is coupled to the bearing shaft 70 in any suitablemanner, but it is preferably coupled to the bearing shaft 70 with atleast one fastener, such as a screw or bolt. Preferably, the lock plate74 is mounted to the bearing shaft 70 such that a gap is formed betweenthe lock plate 74 and the table member 18. In this manner, the lockplate 74 may rotate freely about longitudinal axis A with the upperbearing assembly 66 (as later described) without engaging the tablemember 18. The lock plate 74 is circular in shape and of a sufficientthickness to support the weight of a propeller 20 when the lock plate 74is lifted by a propeller lifting mechanism 112 (later described). Thelock plate 74 includes an upper circular cavity 75 that may be centeredon longitudinal center axis A into which propeller coupler 90 (laterdescribed) may be received. The lock plate 74 also includes a mountingshaft 77 for coupling the propeller coupler 90 to the lock plate 74.

The bearing assembly 64 also includes at least one set of bearingsdisposed between the upper bearing assembly 66 and the housing 68.Preferably, two sets of cylindrical roller bearing assemblies 76 arecoupled to the housing inner surface 78 near the upper and lowerportions of the housing 68. The cylindrical roller bearing assemblies 76includes rollers 79 and cylindrical roller bearing inner and outer races80 and 82, where the inner races 80 are secured to the bearing shaft 70,and the outer races 82 are secured to the housing 68. The inner races 80are separable from the cylindrical bearing assembly 76, such that therollers 79 may translate vertically relative to the inner races 80.Thus, when the bearing shaft 70 and inner race 80 translate vertically,the rollers 79 may move against the inner races 80. The cylindricalroller bearing assemblies 76 allow the upper bearing assembly 66 torotate about its center vertical axis A within the housing 68. Thecylindrical roller bearing assemblies 76 also maintain the bearing shaft70 in substantial vertical alignment along center axis A and within thehousing 68 by withstanding radial loads produced during rotation.Although any suitable cylindrical roller bearing assembly 76 may beused, a Timken® bearing assembly is preferred.

The bearing assembly 64 also includes a tapered roller bearing assembly84 that is coupled to an upper portion of the bearing shaft 70. Thetapered roller bearing assembly 84 includes a tapered roller bearinginner race (not shown) and outer race 88, where the inner race issecured to the bearing shaft 70, and the outer race 88 is secured to thehousing 68. The tapered roller bearing assembly 84 forms an invertedconical frustum shape 72. Thus, the housing inner surface 78 and race 88are sufficiently contoured to receive the bearing shaft 70 and conicalfrustum shape 72. Although any suitable tapered roller bearing assembly84 may be used, a Timken® bearing assembly is preferred. The taperedroller bearing assembly 84 is configured to withstand both radial andthrust loads when the upper bearing assembly 66 rotates within thehousing 68 about the center vertical axis A.

The bearing shaft 70, when slidably received by the housing 68,protrudes slightly out of the bottom opening of the housing 68. Avertical limiting plate 89 is coupled to the bottom of the bearing shaft70, such that when the upper bearing assembly 66 is lifted out of thehousing 68 (as later described), the limiting plate 89 may abut thehousing 68 and vertically limits the upper bearing assembly 66 frombeing lifted more than a predetermined distance out of the housing. Thevertical limiting plate 89 includes a threaded hole 91, and the bearingshaft 70 includes a threaded protrusion 93 on its bottom surface. Thus,the vertical limiting plate 89 is secured to the bearing shaft 70 bythreadably engaging the threaded protrusion 93 within the threaded hole91. It should be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, the upperbearing assembly 66 may be limited in vertical translation byalternative means. As yet another non-limiting example, the housing 68and the plate 89 are constructed as a single, unitary body and the jack122 is connected to the bearing shaft 70. In such an embodiment, thejack 122 reciprocates the upper bearing assembly 66 into and out ofengagement with the outer race 88 by limiting travel of the jack 122 ina well-known manner. Accordingly, such embodiments are within the scopeof the present disclosure.

An optical encoder 44 is mounted beneath the vertical limiting plate 89.The optical encoder 44 is mounted on the bottom surface of an encodermounting bracket 126. A shaft 132 is coupled to the top surface of thebracket 126. The shaft 132 is engageable with an aperture (not shown) onthe bottom surface of the vertical limiting plate 89. The top portion ofthe shaft 132 is threaded, and the aperture on the bottom surface of thevertical limiting plate 89 is likewise threaded such that the shaft 132may be threadably engaged with the vertical limiting plate 89. Thus, theoptical encoder 44 translates vertically with the upper bearing assembly66 when the assembly 66 is lifted out of the housing 68.

A linear bearing 128 is secured to the encoder mounting bracket 126 byany suitable means known in the art. The linear bearing 128 slidablyengages a bearing shaft 130, wherein at least a portion of the shaft 130is coupled to the outer surface of the housing 68. The linear bearing128 slides vertically along the bearing shaft 130 such that the opticalencoder 44 and encoder mounting bracket 126 also translate vertically inthe same fashion. In this manner, the optical encoder 44 will travelwith the upper bearing assembly 66 when it is lifted out of the housing68 while its vertical alignment is maintained through the linear bearing128. It can be appreciated that the optical encoder 44 may be translatedvertically without the support of a linear bearing 128; however, forvertical alignment purposes, the use of a linear bearing 128 ispreferred.

Still referring to FIG. 3, and also FIG. 2, the bearing assembly 64further includes a propeller coupler 90 having a propeller coupler base92. Coupled to the propeller coupler base 92 is a boss 94, and coupledto the boss 94 is a propeller spindle 96 having a threaded portion 98 atthe upper end. The propeller coupler base 92 generally conforms to theshape of the lock plate circular cavity 75. The bottom surface of thepropeller coupler base 92 includes a hole (not shown) that may engagethe mounting shaft 77 of the lock plate 74. The mounting shaft 77 may bethreaded, and the propeller coupler base 92 hole may likewise bethreaded such that the mounting shaft 77 may be threadably received bythe propeller coupler base 92 hole. Thus, to couple the propellercoupler 90 to the upper bearing assembly 66, the propeller coupler base92 is received into the lock plate circular cavity 75, and the mountingshaft 77 of the lock plate 74 is received by the propeller coupler base92 hole.

A mounting plate 100 is configured to further secure the propellercoupler base 92 to the lock plate 74. The mounting plate 100 includes aU-shaped opening 102 and a U-shaped cavity 104. Thus, the propellercoupler 90 receives the mounting plate 100 such that the propellercoupler base 92 is received into the U-shaped cavity 104, and the boss94 protrudes through the U-shaped opening 102. The mounting plate 100 isthen fastened to the lock plate 74 with any suitable fastener (such as abolt or screw) to securely fasten the propeller coupler 90 to the upperbearing assembly 66.

The lock plate 74 includes a keyway 106 that is configured to guide thepropeller coupler 90 when being mounted to the upper bearing assembly66. The keyway 106 may also receive a key (not shown), such as a pin,rod, or other suitable device that is sufficiently long to mate asimilarly shaped keyway formed on the bottom surface of the propellercoupler base 92. The key may be used to secure the propeller couplerbase 92 to the lock plate 74 rather than threadably fastening thepropeller coupler base 92 to the lock plate 74.

As shown in FIG. 1, a propeller 20 is mounted onto the propeller coupler90. The propeller 20 includes a central opening that is received by thepropeller coupler shaft 96. Referring again to FIG. 3, the propeller 20is then secured to the propeller coupler shaft 96 by a fastener, such asnut 108. The nut 108 is threaded so as to mate to the threaded portion98 on the end of the propeller coupler shaft 96. The propeller couplershaft 96 further includes a protrusion 110 that receives a keyed portion(not shown) on the inside surface of the central opening of thepropeller 20. Thus, when the protrusion 110 is received into the keyedportion inside the propeller opening, the propeller 20 will benon-rotatable about the propeller coupler shaft 96. Therefore, thepropeller 20 will not rotate about the propeller coupler shaft 96 whenthe propeller coupler shaft 96 is rotated (as described below) tomeasure the propeller 20.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the propeller lifting mechanism 112 includesa lifting plate 114 that is generally circular but includes twochamfered portions 116. The lifting plate 114 is coupled to at leasttwo, but preferably three lock pins 118. The lifting plate 114 includeslock pin apertures 120 into which the lock pins 118 are received andsecured. Preferably, the lock pin apertures 120 are threaded and the endportions of the lock pins 118 are threaded so that the lock pins 118 maybe threadably received by the apertures 120. The lock pins 118 arepositioned in the lock plate 114 near the perimeter of the lock plate114, and each pin 118 is equidistant from the other lock pins 118 in ageneral triangular pattern. Beneath the lifting plate 114 is a hydraulicjack 122 that is actuated to vertically translate the lifting plate 114and lock pins 118.

As shown in FIG. 6, face plates 134 are disposed between upper supportmember 16 and table member 18. Preferably, one face plate 134 ispositioned on each side of the tapered table end 22, such that at leasta portion of the face plate 134 abuts the chamfered portion 116 of thelifting plate 114. The face plates 134 provides additional support forthe table member 18, and also helps maintain the vertical alignment ofthe propeller lifting mechanism 112 and the upper bearing assembly 66when actuated by hydraulic jack 122.

Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the propeller lifting mechanism 112engages and vertically translates the upper bearing assembly 66 so thatit is lifted out of the housing 68. As shown in FIG. 4, the lock pins118 are of a sufficient length to extend from the lifting plate 114 upthrough the table member 18. For clarity and ease of illustration, twolock pins 118 have been shown extending through table member 18,notwithstanding the fact that a standard cross-section view of thetriangular pattern of lock pins 118 would reveal only one lock pin 118.FIG. 5 shows hydraulic jack 122 actuated to selectively drive the lockpins 118 into engagement with the lock plate 74. Specifically, the lockpins 118 are selectively received into lock cavities 124 formed on thebottom surface of the lock plate 74. The jack 122 continues to drive thelock pins 118 into the lock plate 74 while the housing 68 remainsstationary. The upper bearing assembly 66 is then raised out of thehousing 68 thereby lifting the tapered bearing assembly 84 out ofcontact with the outer race 88.

FIG. 4 shows the lock pins 118 disengaged from the lock plate 74, suchthat the upper bearing assembly 66 is in an unlocked, freely rotatablestate. In this unlocked state, the upper bearing assembly 66 may rotatewithin housing 68 about the longitudinal axis A. Similarly, thepropeller coupler 90 may rotate simultaneously with the upper bearingassembly 66. Thus, when a propeller 20 is mounted to the propellercoupler 90, the propeller 20 is rotated and measured by the propellermeasuring assembly 24.

FIG. 5 depicts the locked pins 118 received into the lock cavities 124when the hydraulic jack 122 has been actuated. The hydraulic jack 122drives the lock plate 74 upward and lifts the upper bearing assembly 66out of the housing 68. In this lifted state, the upper bearing assembly66 and propeller coupler 90 are maintained in a static, non-rotatableposition such that a mounted propeller 20 may be tuned. In addition,when the upper bearing assembly 66 is lifted out of the housing 68,thereby lifting the tapered bearing assembly 84 out of contact with theouter race 88, the tapered bearing assembly 84 is substantially isolatedfrom any loads applied to the propeller coupler 90 during tuning (i.e.“tuning loads”).

Use of the propeller tuning assembly 10 may be best understood byreferring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. A propeller 20 is placed on thepropeller mounting assembly 62. More specifically, the propeller 20 isfitted onto the propeller coupler shaft 96 of the propeller coupler 90.The bearing assembly 64 is configured in the rotatable, unlockedposition, as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the lifting mechanism 112has not been translated vertically to lift the upper bearing assembly 66out of the housing 68. Thus, the upper bearing assembly 66 may rotatefreely about the longitudinal vertical axis A within the housing 68.

The propeller measuring assembly 24 is used to gather propellermeasurements by slidably engaging the measuring probe 36 with thepropeller blade 26 while the propeller 20 rotates with the upper bearingassembly 66 and propeller coupler 90. The optical encoder 44 gathers andsends data to a CPU (not shown) so that the blade's pitch and othertechnical data may be displayed and the technician may understand inwhich areas the blade 26 needs to be hammered, or tuned.

The lifting mechanism 112 may then be actuated with jack 122 by thetechnician to translate the upper bearing assembly 66 and propellercoupler 90, as best shown in FIG. 5. The lock pins 118 engage the lockplate 74 and lift the upper bearing assembly 66 out of the housing 68.Thus, the rollers 79 of the tapered roller bearing assembly 84 are takenout of contact with the outer race 88, and the upper bearing assembly 66may not rotate with respect to the housing 68. In this locked position,the blades of the propeller 20 may be tuned in the appropriate areas bythe technician while substantially isolating the upper bearing assembly66 and the tapered roller bearing assembly 84 from tuning loadsassociated with the hammering action.

The upper bearing assembly 66 and propeller coupler 90 are lowered bythe lifting mechanism 112 so that the upper bearing assembly 66 mayagain rotate freely within the housing 68 and the technician may repeatthe propeller measuring process. The propeller blade 26 is againmeasured while the propeller 20 rotates with the upper bearing assembly66 and propeller coupler 90. The optical encoder 44 then sends thetechnical data to the CPU, where the data is displayed so that thetechnician may repeat the tuning process if necessary.

This cycle is repeated until the propeller is substantially “true,” oruntil the data conforms to the propeller specification requirements.When the propeller 20 is found to be substantially true, the propeller20 may be removed from the propeller tuning assembly 10.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be appreciated that various changes can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.For instance, the propeller tuning assembly 10 could be modified tomount other devices for measurement and tuning, such as musicalinstruments.

1. A propeller tuner assembly that can be used for both measuring andtuning propeller blades, comprising: (a) a support frame; (b) a bearingassembly comprising: (i) a propeller coupler adapted to selectivelycouple a propeller to the propeller tuner assembly that can be used forboth measuring and tuning propeller blades; (ii) a housing configured toreceive the propeller coupler; (iii) at least one set of bearingsdisposed between the housing and the propeller coupler, the propellercoupler movably coupled to the frame between at least a rotatableposition, wherein the propeller coupler is rotatable about a verticalaxis, and a non-rotatable position, wherein the propeller coupler islocked into a static position.
 2. The propeller tuning assembly of claim1, wherein the bearing assembly is movably mounted to the frame forselective height adjustment.
 3. The propeller tuning assembly of claim1, further comprising a lifting mechanism coupled to the propellercoupler to reciprocate the propeller coupler between the rotatable andnon-rotatable positions.
 4. The propeller tuning assembly of claim 1,wherein the at least one set of bearings are at least in part coupled tothe propeller coupler to permit rotational movement of the propellercoupler relative to at least a portion of the bearing assembly.
 5. Thepropeller tuning assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing furthercomprises a race portion sized and configured to engage the at least oneset of bearings when the propeller coupler is selectively displaced intothe rotatable position.
 6. The propeller tuning assembly of claim 5,further comprising a lifting mechanism coupled to the propeller couplerto disengage the at least one set of bearings from the race portion whenthe propeller coupler is selectively displaced into the non-rotatableposition.
 7. The propeller tuning assembly of claim 6, wherein thebearing assembly is movably mounted to the frame for selective heightadjustment.
 8. A method of measuring and tuning propeller blades, themethod comprising: (a) providing a propeller tuning assembly that can beused for both measuring and tuning propeller blades, the assemblycomprising: (i) a bearing assembly having a propeller coupler adapted toselectively couple a propeller to the propeller tuner assembly, ahousing configured to receive the propeller coupler, and a liftingmechanism; and (ii) a measuring device for measuring the pitch of thepropeller; (b) coupling the propeller to the propeller coupler; (c)measuring the propeller with the measuring device; (d) lifting thepropeller coupler out of the housing with the lifting mechanism; and (e)applying loads to the propeller.
 9. The method of tuning a propeller ofclaim 8, wherein the bearing assembly is movably mounted to the framefor selective height adjustment.
 10. The method of tuning a propeller ofclaim 8, wherein the propeller coupler is selectively displaceablebetween a first position, wherein the propeller coupler is rotatablerelative to the frame, and a second position, wherein the propellercoupler is non-rotatable relative to the frame.
 11. The method of tuninga propeller of claim 10, wherein the propeller is measured by themeasuring device when the propeller coupler is in the first position,and wherein loads are applied to the propeller when the propellercoupler is in the second position.
 12. The method of tuning a propellerof claim 10, wherein the lifting mechanism coupled to the propellercoupler reciprocates the propeller coupler between the first and secondpositions.
 13. The method of tuning a propeller of claim 8, wherein thepropeller timing assembly further comprises at least one set of bearingsat least in part coupled to the propeller coupler to permit rotationalmovement of the propeller coupler relative to at least a portion of thebearing assembly.
 14. The method of tuning a propeller of claim 13,wherein the housing is coupled to the frame, and the housing furthercomprises a race portion sized and configured to engage the at least oneset of bearings when the propeller coupler is selectively displaced intothe first position where the propeller coupler is rotatable relative toat least a portion of the bearing assembly.
 15. The method of tuning apropeller of claim 14, wherein the lifting mechanism is coupled to thepropeller coupler to disengage the at least one set of bearings from therace portion when the propeller coupler is selectively displaced intothe second position.
 16. The method of tuning a propeller of claim 14,wherein the bearing assembly is movably mounted to the frame forselective height adjustment.